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Lookout Pass Ski Area, Idaho

Lookout Pass is the original Idaho ski area having documented skiing and a home made rope tow in 1935.  The local ski pioneers chose Lookout Pass because of the abundant snowfall and excellent snow quality which they could access by jumping on the Northern Pacific railcars as they proceeded east from the mining towns of Wallace and Mullan, Idaho.  These ski adventurers would hop off the railcars at the summit and utilize a highway storage shed as a warming hut that they nicknamed “Buzzards Roost”.

Lookout Pass has operated every winter season since 1935 and has a reputation for legendary powder, earliest openings, and longest season in the region. Average snowfall is 400" of light Northern Rockies snow. The “Affordable Family Ski Area” has recently received a major expansion approval and has initiated the first three phases of a five phase Master Development Plan. 

Lookout’s historic base lodge is the 2nd oldest ski lodge in the northwest.  The cedar interior offers delightful warmth reminiscent of vintage lodges of the 1940’s.

Mountain Statistics

We’re Growing and our ski terrain has tripled in size since 2003!

Expansion is underway at Lookout Pass! Our new North Star, double chairlift, is currently under construction and due for completion in time for the 2007-2008 winter season! The new lift will provide access to six new runs on the north aspect of the mountain. Three of the runs are rated expert and three are intermediate runs. Enjoy fall-line skiing on the coveted north flank of the mountain with panoramic views of the Bitterroot Mountains and the Coeur d'Alene River Valley.
 
Our Timber Wolf, double chairlift, and five new runs on the Montana side of the mountain opened on December 26, 2003. This increased our vertical drop to 1,150 feet and  the longest run is 1.2 miles in length. Two of the new runs are rated expert and three are rated intermediate. T he views of the St. Regis Basin and Copper Basin are spectacular.
 
A new 6,000 square foot lodge addition was completed and  ready for the 2005/2006 winter season.  The three story addition features a greatly expanded food service seating area, a new retail shop, locker rooms, additional restrooms, and the new “Loft” pub and grub lounge on the top level.  The seating areas and bar/lounge take advantage of panoramic slope side and mountain views.
 
The new "All American" food court and new ticket windows with e-ticket express were completed for the 2006/2007 season.  Enjoy your favorite grill, deli, and famous Lookout chili  food items from a quick food selection area. Additional ticket windows with e-ticket express make for a relaxed and quick ticket pick-up service.
 
Lookout Pass Ski Area has nearly tripled in size since 2003!
 
New Five Day Schedule: We’re open Thursday through Monday and all holidays, including the two-week Christmas vacation break, December 22- January 6. A new midweek season pass is now available for only $109.

Lookout's Famous Free Ski School for Kids

Our nationally-recognized ten-week Free Ski School for youth (ages 6-17 years) has been on-going for over 60 years!  This years program start Saturday, January 12 and continues every Saturday through March 15, 2008.  Beginner sessions start at 10 a.m., Intermediate and Advanced sessions at 11:30 a.m.  

Bus service is available to and from Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Liberty Lake, the Silver Valley and Western Montana. Click Here for the bus schedules. The Silver Valley and Western Montana bus service is FREE!

Certified PSIA Ski & AASI Snowboard School

Professional lessons are available every day we are open.  Private lessons may be reserved at just about anytime.  Group lessons are available at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm PST.  Our Pros are happy to provide powder lessons whenever you’re ready!

Mini-Moose Club for kids, ages 3 – 6 yrs, provides supervised skills development sessions, fun and hot chocolate for the young ones.  Plus some break time for the parents!

Downhill Divas is a special woman’s program guided by Professional Instructors providing skills enhancement, education, tips in boot fitting and equipment, plus demo skis and snowboards to try if you like.  The program is offered every Thursday, January 11 through March 7, 2008.  Lunch is included.

Season Pass Rates

Our 2007/2008 Season Pass rates are the most affordable in the region. The prices are $269  for Adults, $129 for Juniors (7-12 yrs),  $149 for Teens (13-17 yrs), $149 for Seniors (62-69 yrs),  $109 for Super Seniors (70 yrs+), and $625 for a Family of two adults and one junior or teen.  Additional dependents may be added for as little as $119 each.  College passes are just $229. A new mid-week season pass valid Monday, Thursday and Friday is available for only $149. 

For more information or to find out when you can purchase a season pass at your local ski shop, call Lookout’s business office at 208-744-1301, ext. 0. You can also visit our website at www.skilookout.com and order on-line.

It's an exciting time for Lookout Pass with a new chairlift, more terrain, new runs offering challenging drops and some long cruisers.  Add all that to our legendary powder and you have a recipe for fun and big smiles. We look forward to seeing you on the slopes.

Pass the Word

Lookout Pass means early snow and plenty of it. "Freshies" is an often-used powder day expression at Lookout. Whoops, hollers, an occasional yodel and other colorful sounds are frequently heard on the slopes.

Besides great snow, Lookout is committed to taking care of families. Our affordable prices, easy access off Interstate 90, and a nationally-recognized Free Ski School Program for children are examples of our dedication to families; and parents love our mountain layout because it's an easy place to keep track of the kids.

We’re also dedicated to keeping up with trends. Two years ago we added a new terrain park to the mountain. Claim Jumper, renamed B-52, boasts a 1,111 foot long quarter pipe (the longest in the nation), plus nine launches as big as dump trucks.  A second Front Side rail park offers a number of rails, boxes,  and features for a wide variety of ability levels to enjoy.

Ten Reasons to Ski/Ride Lookout
1.) Best snow in Idaho! Many ski areas make the claim, only Lookout Pass has the scientific data to prove it. Forest Service and NOAA records confirm that Lookout Pass receives more snow earlier and more consistent coverage than any other geographic area in all of Idaho.
2.) Easy 1-90 all-weather access. We're the only local ski area with a four-lane interstate highway right to our parking lot. The road is always well-plowed and sanded by crews from both Idaho and Montana.
3.) Wind and weather protection. Lookout has never closed for a day of skiing due to inclement weather. Because our slopes face the northeast, the weather pattern gives Lookout Pass protected weather conditions and great snow.
4.) Affordable rates. Many area resorts charge over $40 to $50+ for a weekend day of skiing. At Lookout Pass, our adult weekend lift tickets are just $30.  College students, teens, juniors, and seniors have even more affordable rates, plus there are special promotional rates on weekdays such as BOOMERS’ FRIDAYS when anyone 40 yrs+ can ski or snowboard all day for just $16. Children 6 years and under ski for FREE with a paid adult.
5.) Friendly staff. From lift operations to the ski school instructors to the management, our staff takes pride in being a local ski area. We value our friends, the skiers and snowboarders of the Inland Northwest.
6.) Cozy, historic lodge. Lookout Pass has served skiers and outdoor enthusiasts for 70 years and our historic lodge is the second oldest ski lodge in the Northwest, after Mt. Hood’s Timberline lodge.  You and your family will feel comfortable relaxing in front of the lodge’s warm pellet stove.
7.) Famous Lookout Chili. What's better than sitting in front of a roaring fireplace with your favorite beverage? Adding a big steaming bowl of famous Lookout chili, that's what!
8.) No lift lines. There are very few days you'll have to wait in a long lift line at Lookout Pass. And on weekdays...what's a lift line? There's no waiting to access 540 acres of prime Idaho/Montana skiing.
9.) Family atmosphere. Our unique trail system means that Lookout Pass is one of the few ski areas where dads, moms and the kids can ski and ride together, regardless of skill level, and still enjoy the terrain. Our staff is trained to make sure that families are comfortable, confident and safe.
10.) Powder skiing. Summer tree-thinning and Lookout's consistent weather pattern combine to provide Lookout Pass with some of the best powder skiing anywhere in the Northwest.

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